Carbon negative clean fuel production system

ABSTRACT

A carbon negative clean fuel production system includes: a main platform; a heat collection device for capturing heat from a hydrothermal emissions from a hydrothermal vent on a floor of an ocean; a heat driven electric generator; a heat distribution system including a heat absorbing material and a heat transporting pipe; anchor platforms tethered to the main platform; a mineral separator; a seawater filtration unit; a water splitting device; a sand refinery machine; a carbon removal system; and a chemical production system for producing hydrides, halides and silane. Also disclosed is a method for carbon negative clean fuel production, including: capturing heat; producing electric energy; separating minerals; filtering seawater; splitting water; refining sand; removing carbon dioxide; and producing hydrides, halides, and silane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to energy harvesting, and moreparticularly, to harvesting energy from subsea hydrothermal vents, forconversion into alternative fuel stores.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydrothermal vents are fissures in the seafloor from which heated waterissues. Hydrothermal vents are found in areas associated with movementof tectonic plates and ocean basin hotspots. These vents are located onthe plate expansion zones known as the mid-ocean ridges and on the platesubduction zones known as the ring of fire. The number of hydrothermalvents is unknown, but experts have recently placed the number as high as10 million.

The Woods Hole Institute keeps a database of known hydrothermal ventsincluding their GPS position, their depth, active status and other knowndata. For example, the Alarcon rise vent field is listed in the databaseat a latitude of 23.3553 and longitude of −108.5443 in the gulf ofCalifornia with a maximum known temperature of 354 degrees Celsius (669Fahrenheit.)

Plumes emanating from hydrothermal vents are rich in minerals. Themineral content of the plumes is expected to vary greatly based on thegeology of the location. Water from the ocean infiltrates the oceansfloor in what is called a recharge zone. As it moves deeper and closerto the heated subsurface magma chamber, the intense heat dissolvesminerals in the water in the recharge zone. As the heat builds, thewater begins to rise into a common exit called the hot focused flow. Thewater temperature of this hot focused flow can reach 350 degreesCelsius, or nearly 700 degrees Fahrenheit, while the nearby water at thedepth of many hydrothermal vents can be as cold as −2 degrees Celsius(28.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

The dissolved minerals in the superheated waters exiting the vent givethe appearance of smoke. Hydrothermal vents are often classified bytheir smoke color as being either black smokers or white smokers. Thedifficulty of accessing these vents has limited studies as to theirmineral contents, temperature variations, surrounding biology and otherfactors. The extreme temperatures and pressures surrounding manyhydrothermal vents require highly specialized equipment for even simpletasks.

Global demand for energy and clean energy fuels is rising. It isbecoming increasingly difficult to find new energy sources and existingsources are insufficient to meet our long-term needs creating theever-increasing use of fossil fuels thereby threatening the veryexistence of life on this planet through global warming.

There has been interest in finding a new fuel to replace oil for sometime. Many candidates have been proposed, from corn to solar. One of themost promising new fuels is silane, a fuel made from the silicon foundin sand. Silane is a gas at room temperature. It decomposes atrelatively low temperatures and pressures to liberate hydrogen anddeposit high purity silicon's. Silane is flammable and pyphoric(autoigniting in air). It is also considered an excellent hydrogencarrier. Some properties of silane, disilane, and trisilane make themdifficult to use as a gasoline replacement in cars, but they aresuitable for highly controllable environments like electricitygenerating power plants, trains and ships.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that therecontinues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods forcarbon negative clean fuel production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the presentinvention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements areprovided to the existing models of fuel production.

In an aspect, a carbon negative clean fuel production system caninclude:

-   -   a) a main platform, which can be positioned on or below the        ocean surface. In some configurations the main platform may        reside on land in workable proximity to the hydrothermal vent,        or on a floor of the ocean;    -   b) a heat collection device, which can be configured to capture        heat from hydrothermal emissions from a hydrothermal vent on a        floor of an ocean;    -   c) a heat driven electric generator, which is configured to        receive the heat from the hydrothermal vent and produce electric        energy, wherein the heat driven electric generator is mounted on        a surface of a platform; and    -   d) a heat distribution system, comprising:        -   a heat absorbing material and at least one heat transporting            pipe, comprising:            -   a heat transport segment; and            -   a return flow segment;    -   such that the heat absorbing material flows through the heat        collection device, such that the heat absorbing material absorbs        the heat from the hydrothermal emissions; and    -   such that the heat absorbing material flows through the heat        driven electric generator, such that the heat driven electric        generator produces the electric energy from the heat of the heat        absorbing material.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a) at least one anchor platform; and    -   b) at least one tether;    -   wherein the anchor platform can be configured to be positioned        on a floor of the ocean; and wherein a first end of the tether        is connected to the platform and a second end of the tether is        connected to the platform;    -   such that the platform is secured in position.

In yet another related aspect, the heat driven electric generator can bea Stirling generator, which can include:

-   -   a) a Stirling engine, which is configured to generate mechanical        energy from the heat absorbing material; and    -   b) an electrical generator, which is configured to convert the        mechanical energy into the electric energy.

In another related aspect, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a mineral separator, which is an enclosure that comprises        riffles along an inner bottom of the enclosure;    -   wherein an input opening of the enclosure receives the        hydrothermal emissions from the hydrothermal vent, such that the        hydrothermal emissions passes through the enclosure, such that        solid minerals are deposited in the riffles and remaining        emissions are ejected from an output opening of the enclosure.

In yet another related aspect, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a seawater filtration unit, which is configured to filter        seawater from the ocean by reverse osmosis, to produce filtered        freshwater and solutes which include brine and solute minerals.

In another related aspect, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a water splitting device, which is configured to use the        electric energy generated by the heat driven electric generator        to split the filtered freshwater into hydrogen and oxygen, for        example by a process of electrolysis.

In another related aspect, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a sand refinery machine, which is configured to refine sand to        produce chemical components, including silicon and oxygen.

In another related aspect, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem can further include:

-   -   a carbon removal system, which is configured to use the electric        energy generated by the heat driven electric generator to pump        in atmospheric air, and to produce formic acid from carbon        dioxide in the atmospheric air, thereby reducing a concentration        of carbon dioxide in the atmospheric air.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a carbon negative clean fuelproduction system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a mineral separator,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a mineral separator,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a part of the carbon negativeclean fuel production system, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating system flow of the carbonnegative clean fuel production system, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating system flow of the carbonnegative clean fuel production system, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a carbon negative clean fuelproduction system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a carbon negative clean fuelproduction system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system control unit,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, inaccordance with one embodiment of a method or process of carbon negativeclean fuel production.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed thatthe present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obviouscombination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure thedisclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilledin the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presentedwith lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe ingreater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding theinvention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to thestructure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplaryconstructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory andillustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a carbonnegative clean fuel production system 100 with reference to FIG. 1, insuch manner that like reference numerals refer to like componentsthroughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of thisspecification.

In various embodiments, a carbon negative clean fuel production system100 can include a set of components working together to form a complexunified whole, with a set of methods, procedures and routines to carryout specific activities, such that the individual components and uniquesystems of component in this system 100 are referred to in the genericas system objects. Whenever appropriate in this document, terms in thesingular form shall include the plural (and vice versa) when the termselements, compounds, chemicals and minerals are used with a lower-caseinitial letter, the terms are used interchangeably. When the firstletter of the term is uppercase, it is specifically referring to thatterm.

In various embodiments, the carbon negative clean fuel production system100 provides a practical means for collecting heat from hydrothermalvents without dredging or even contact with the biodiverse area in theimmediate vicinity of the hydrothermal vents and without transportinghydrothermal vent fluid to the surface or use of convection currents toturn generators.

There has been interest in finding a new fuel to replace oil for sometime. many candidates have been proposed, from corn to solar, one of themost promising new fuels is silane, a fuel made from the silicon foundin sand.

Silane is a gas at room temperature, which decomposes at relatively lowtemperatures and pressures to liberate hydrogen and deposit high puritysilicon's. Silane is flammable and pyrophoric (i.e. ignitesspontaneously when exposed to air). It is also considered an excellenthydrogen carrier. However, the biggest hurdle in using silane as a fuelreplacement is that the production process uses almost as much energy asthe resulting fuel produces.

Given that these fuels are currently produced using the energy fromcarbon-based fuels, they are not truly “renewable” or even carbonneutral. The carbon negative clean fuel production system 100 makessilane viable candidates to replace carbon-based fuels, by using theenergy of a hydrothermal vent and its associated resources to producesilane and other industrial chemicals.

The carbon negative clean fuel production system 100 is carbon negativein its operation. The combustion of silane is a carbon neutral reaction,making the net result of the entire process carbon negative. Meaning iteliminates more carbon/CO₂ from the environment than it produces.

In various related embodiments, the number of vents along theMid-Atlantic Ridge and their proximity to each other implies a highlikelihood of interconnectivity of the systems 100 proposed herein,which can eventually form a network of energy systems 100 whose power issupplied by hydrothermal vents. Above these systems will sit numerousplatforms manufacturing industrial chemicals and alternative fuels. Asthe number of platforms grow, the number of support staff will also groweventually forming floating cities with all the infrastructure andconveniences associated with a major city all powered by thehydrothermal vent energy below the city.

The system 100 disclosed herein provides the first disclosed carbonnegative method for harnessing this vast and inexhaustible naturalsource of energy, as a means of creating alternative fuels namelysalines and hydrides, with the additional benefit of producing formatesof the alkali metal family from atmospheric CO₂. Formates can be formedby combining group 1 or group 2 alkali metals with hydrogen and CO₂.Formates have a variety of uses depending on which alkali metal itcontains. Potassium formate is used as an environmentally friendlydeicing salt for use on roads. Calcium formate is used as an animal feedpreservative. All these alkali metals can be made into volatile hydridessourced from the minerals extracted from seawater and the mineralseparator.

In various embodiments, the carbon negative clean fuel production system100 provides practical means of extracting resources, including mineralsand heat, directly from hydrothermal vent fluid in close proximity tothe vent itself, while minimizing the impact on the diverse biologicalecosystem. The system is interconnected via two primary systems tocreate a positive energy feedback loop. An underwater electric grid anda sophisticated heat distribution network provides energy to devicesconnected to the system which in turn provide beneficial services orcapabilities to the grid and heat distribution system supplying energywhen, where, and in the form, it is needed.

In a related embodiment, a system control unit 121 monitors, regulates,measures and reports the flow of energy throughout the carbon negativeclean fuel production system 100, while also monitoring environmentalconditions; all of which help to maximize efficiency, while reducing thechance of system failures due to the harsh environmental conditions, thesystem control unit 121 acts as a data collection and distribution pointfor system, environmental and operational data.

In a related embodiment, a list of components (also referred to assystem objects) of the carbon negative clean fuel production system 100can include:

-   -   a) A platform 101;    -   b) A heat collection device 102;    -   c) A heat distribution system 103;    -   d) A chemical storage tank 104;    -   e) A control system 105;    -   f) A carbon dioxide removal system 106;    -   g) A water splitter 107;    -   h) A bunker station 110;    -   i) A seawater intake 111;    -   j) An internal fluid current 212;    -   k) A production float 114;    -   l) A mineral separator 115;    -   m) A seawater filtration unit 116;    -   n) An anchor platform 117;    -   o) A Stirling generator 118;    -   p) An energy distribution controller 119;    -   q) A chemical production system 120;    -   r) A system control unit 121;    -   s) A pump 222;    -   t) A vent fluid inlet 223;    -   u) A cold water conduit 224;    -   v) A settling chamber 225;    -   w) An underwater vehicle 126;    -   x) A sand refinery machine 128;    -   y) Riffles 228;    -   z) An outlet valve 230;    -   aa) An exit hood 231;    -   bb) A cold water intake pump 232;    -   cc) A mineral extraction unit 233;    -   dd) A collection tray 234;    -   ee) An electromagnet 236;    -   ff) A coagulant injector 237;    -   gg) A sea level 139;    -   hh) An energy distribution system connectors 140; and    -   ii) A precipitant 243.

As shown in the FIG. 1, the structure of a hydrothermal vent 145 caninclude:

-   -   a) A recharge zone 108;    -   b) A diffuse zone 113;    -   c) Hydrothermal emissions 141, typically in the form of a hot        focused flow 141; and    -   d) A magma chamber 142.

In an embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel production system 100can include:

-   -   a) A platform 101, which includes a level surface on which        people may stand and components may be positioned. The platform        can float on a surface of the ocean or can in some alternative        embodiments, be semi-submersible, submerged in the water column,        or be located on the seafloor;    -   b) At least one anchor platform 117, for securing the platform        101 such that the anchor platform 117 tethers the platform 101        to the seafloor 152 using an anchor cable 162 in combination        with winches and buoyancy controls 114 (production floats 114);    -   c) At least one production float 114, which can be used to lift        anchor cables and other system objects that are suspended under        water.        -   Production floats 114 can also function as key integration            points influencing other system objects and feeding            information systems with the data for a variety of system            monitoring, optimizing and financial purposes while reducing            the chance of system failures due to the harsh environmental            conditions.        -   A production float can be a regulated buoyant device            tethered to an anchor platform 117 via a fixed connection            point or winch. Other system objects can be attached to a            production float, its anchor platform or its tethers. The            height of a production float may be altered by regulating            its buoyancy or the length of its tethers.        -   Generally, the terms controlled and regulated are used            interchangeably herein. However, as a general application,            regulated has more of an individual device context while            controlled is more of a broader system wide context. For            example: That the regulator is controlled means that the            regulator has the ability to control the flow of resources            or limits a function, but its functions and sensors are            connected to a master controller which directs the actions            of the regulator;    -   d) A heat collection device 102, which is configured to capture        heat emitted with hot water or emissions from a hydrothermal        vent on the ocean floor. The heat collection device 102 can be        any device capable of absorbing/capturing heat, such as a heat        exchanger 102 or heat pump 102;    -   e) A heat distribution system 103, which comprises a hose 103        (or pipe 103) or a plurality of hoses/pipes 103 for transporting        a heat absorbing material, that can be a liquid or gas that can        absorb heat and circulate through the hoses. The hoses 103 can        be insulated and can be partially buried in the seafloor;    -   f) At least one energy distribution controller 119, which can be        mounted between hose segments to regulate flow of the heat        absorbing material, including regulating flow rate and direction        to system objects;    -   g) A sand refinery machine 128, which is configured to refine        sand into its chemical components, including silicon and oxygen.        The sand can be transported in from other locations, can be        dredged from a bottom of the ocean, or can in some cases be        extracted from emissions of the hydrothermal vent.        -   The sand refinery machine 128 can use well-known methods of            carbothermal reduction, such that the sand refinery machine            128 can be an electric arc furnace 128, which is configured            to perform a carbothermal reduction with the sand and a coke            compound, wherein the coke compound can be derived from coal            or petroleum, or can be derived from a hydrocarbon produced            from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, using the electric energy,            all produced in the system 100.        -   Alternatively, the sand refinery machine 128 can use other            well-known reduction processes to produce silicon and oxygen            from sand, including the process defined in China Patent No.            CN1081164C;    -   h) A control system 105, which includes sensors, transmitters,        meters, receivers, switches, computers, motors, valves, pumps,        and other components that monitors, manage, command, direct, and        regulates the behavior of other system objects. When the term        regulated or any of its forms are used in this document, it        means the system object is under the control of one or more        control systems and detailed data is being collected about every        aspect of its operation;    -   i) Optionally an underwater vehicle 126, which can be tethered        or autonomous, and can be employed for inspecting and/or        repairing submerged parts of the system;    -   j) A mineral separator 115, also called a mineral sluice box 115        or mineral separator 115, is a box, trough or the like, with        riffles 228 on the inner bottom 250, into which mineral rich        hydrothermal vent fluid is directed and mixed with cooler        surrounding ocean water (injected via pump 237) or other        coagulants to separate from the vent fluid, through coagulation        and precipitation 243, such that minerals and other materials        are deposited in the riffles 228;    -   k) A chemical storage tank 104;    -   l) A Carbon dioxide removal system 106, which is configured to        remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and from the        waste/emissions of system objects. Byproducts of this step vary        based on the method used to remove the carbon dioxide from the        atmospheric gases. Some potential processes, such as disclosed        in U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,522A, result in carbonates and halogens.        A halogen of carbon is often called synfuel or synthetic fuel.        The Sabatier process reacts hydrogen with carbon dioxide, such        as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,401 to produce methane and        water. Other processes result in formates, such as disclosed in        U.S. Pat. No. 9,255,057B2. A complimentary process to the        formation of silane would use silicon from the sand refinery        process to form silicon carbide;    -   m) A water filtration device 116, which is configured to remove        minerals and pollutants from seawater;    -   n) A positioning system, which can be a regulated, integrated        set of production floats, winches, motors, gyroscopes, and other        system objects from which the heat collection device and other        system objects are attached or tethered, such that manipulation        of the winches and float buoyancy can move the system objects in        any of the three-dimensional x, y or z coordinates for optimal        placement and integration within the system;    -   o) A heat driven electric generator 118, which can be configured        as a Stirling generator 118, which can include a Stirling engine        connected to an electric generation device (generator), such        that the Stirling generator is configured to generate        electricity from heat of the heat absorbing material;    -   p) A bunker station 110, which can be an alternative fuel        offloading station which includes valves, elbows, dispensing        equipment, pressure gauges, measuring and payment systems. A        bunker station 110 may be located on any type of platform on the        water or be subsurface;    -   q) A water splitting device 107, which is configured to use        electric power generated by the Stirling generator to split        water into hydrogen and oxygen. The water splitting device can        use any of various well-known methods and devices for water        splitting, including such methods and devices as disclosed in        U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,726,893 and 4,394,230, both of which are        incorporated herein by reference in their entirety;    -   r) A system control unit 121, which is a regulated device that        controls, measures and reports the resources transferred to and        from system objects;    -   s) A chemical production system 120, which uses the silicon and        minerals produced in the system to produce Hydrides, Halides and        Silane; and    -   t) A flow controller, which can be configured to control the        flow of vent fluid onto and around the heat collection device        102.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the system control unit 121can include:

-   -   a) A processor 702;    -   b) A non-transitory memory 704;    -   c) An input/output 706; and    -   d) A system manager 710, which is configured to control system        objects in communication via a network, which can be wired        and/or wireless; all connected via    -   e) A data bus 720.

In related embodiments, in addition to the main system control unit 121,system objects in the carbon negative clean fuel production system 100can have local controllers, such as embedded microcontrollers, and aplurality of local sensors in order to control/regulate local operationof the system object, which can include the heat collection device 102,production floats 114, the seawater filtration unit 116, the Stirlinggenerator 118, the mineral extraction unit 233, the cold water intakepump 232, etc.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6A the process400, 500 begins with external energy being supplied 444 to the electricgrid 300 from a platform to start circulation of a working substancethrough the electric distribution system 300. The energy distributioncontrollers 119 and system control units 121 are controlled to allowvent fluid to reach the system objects in quantities and temperaturesappropriate for each system object. As the heat absorbing materialwarms, its heat is transferred to platforms with Stirling generatorswhich in turn provide additional electricity to the electric gridallowing the initial source of electricity to shut down. At this pointthe heat distribution system and electric grid are self-sustainingthrough a regulated positive feedback loop.

In a further related embodiment, once the electric grid and heattransfer system have obtained positive feedback state, additionalsystems can be started. The floating platform will begin filteringseawater to reach ideal chemical composition while the sand refinery 128and water splitters 107 reach their operating temperatures. The productsfrom these systems are input to the carbon dioxide removal system 106where formates and carbonates are produced and to the chemicalproduction system 120 where hydrides, halides and silane are produced.

In a related embodiment, FIG. 1 Illustrates a basic implementation ofthe carbon negative clean fuel production system 100. For simplicity ofdescription we will refer to fuel production capabilities as takingplace on a single semi-submersible platform. an electric grid and athermal transfer system 103 function as integrating interfaces occurringin subsea locations and connecting 140 to platforms as needed. Stirlinggenerators are employed due to their innate ability to take advantage ofthe temperature and pressure extremes. However, there are other heatengine types that can be used to generate electricity using heat in adeep-water location, although relative efficiency would likely besubstantially less.

In a further related embodiment, the sand method of silane productioncan be used due to its long-proven history of effective silaneproduction. Newer methods of silane production are available and may beconsidered for individual installations as their safety and efficienciesare proven. Implementations may use platforms on or below the watersurface, for example as needed to accommodate capacity orgeologic/biologic conditions and goals. There may also be safety reasonsto separate function onto different platforms. The potential forexplosive silane incidents is just one of many safety issues that couldmake multiple platforms desirable.

In a related embodiment, the semi-submersible production platform 101can be of a size capable of supporting the equipment and other resourceneeds including connections to the electric grid, the heat distributionsystem, the sand processing plant and the alternative fuel refinery. Theplatform 101 includes the control system 105 that monitors and regulatesthe entire carbon negative clean fuel production system 100.

In another related embodiment, the carbon removal system 106 can beconfigured to use the Sammels process, as described in PCT/InternationalPatent Application number WO2014202855A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,473,both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety, to produce valuable formate chemicals based on input chemicalsprovided by the recovery of minerals from the mineral separator 115 andthe seawater surrounding the platform, such that energy is sourced fromthe hydrothermal vent through connections with the heat distributionsystem and integrated electric grid.

Processes for isolation of minerals from seawater and further separationof the minerals into the base elements such as alkali metals are welldocumented, and many options exist. In a related embodiment, the carbonnegative clean fuel production system 100 can use the Cunninghamprocess, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,568, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety; because the Cunninghamprocess combines the separation of alkali metals with the creation ofhydrides in one step. The primary drawback of this Cunningham process isthe amount of energy consumption. In a land-based carbon fuelenvironment, this fuel consumption would make the process uneconomicaland very carbon positive. However, by using the energy from ahydrothermal vent, this process is able to produce industrial quantitiesof hydrides economically, with no carbon footprint.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a seawater filtration unit 116 which isconfigured to filtrate surrounding ocean water, such that a primaryoutput includes water for input to a water splitting process and thefiltered-out brine.

In yet another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuelproduction system 100 can include a chemical production system 120,which takes as input chemicals from previously described systems toproduce silane, halides, and hydrides. Silane produced can includedislane and trislane. Halides can include fluoride, chloride, bromide,iodide, astatide. Hydrides can include hydrogen compounds, binary metalhydrides, ternary metal hydrides, coordination complexes, and clusterhydrides. The chemical production system 120 can be configured to usewell-known processes for production of organosilicon compounds,including the “direct process”, also called the Direct Synthesis, RochowProcess, and Müller-Rochow Process, including copper-catalyzed reactionsof alkyl halides with silicon, which take place in a fluidized bedreactor. Silane can be produced in a two-step process wherein 1) siliconis treated with hydrogen chloride at about 300° C. to producetrichlorosilane and hydrogen gas; and 2) trichlorosilane is converted toa mixture of silane and silicon tetrachloride in a redistributionreaction requiring a catalyst.

In a further related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 canbe configured to use any of various well-known methods and devices forproduction of Silane, including such methods and devices as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,798, 4,499,063, CA Patent No. 2357025, EuropeanPatent No. 1558520B1, China Patent No. 1938220; all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In a further related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 canbe configured to use any of various well-known methods and devices forproduction of Halides, including such methods and devices as disclosedin CA2234688A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,220 A; both of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In a further related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 canbe configured to use any of various well-known methods and devices forproduction of biodiesel, including such methods and devices as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,638,314 B2; which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In another further related embodiment, the chemical production system120 can be configured to react metals of the solid minerals, includingsodium or potassium, with hydrogen under a high pressure and a hightemperature to produce hydrides, which a metal hydrides with thechemical composition mH, where m is the metal and H is hydrogen; such asdescribed in PCT International Patent Application No. WO2012114229A1,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In a related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 can beconfigured to react the silicon with hydrogen under a high pressure anda high temperature to produce silane.

In a related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 can beconfigured to react to react metals of the solid minerals with halogensunder a high pressure and a high temperature to produce halides, whereinthe halogens can be extracted from the seawater, for example as a soluteoutput from solutes produced by the seawater filtration unit 116.

In a yet further related embodiment, the high pressure can be in a rangeof 5-200 bar, or at least 5 bars, and the high temperature can be in arange of 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 200-500 degrees Fahrenheit, orat least 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

In another related embodiment, the water splitting system 107 can beconfigured to split water via a process of electrolysis using thesurrounding ocean water as its primary input. However, thermolysis orother water separating techniques can alternatively be used and areviable due to the almost unrestricted availability of energy from theelectric grid and heat distribution sourced from the hydrothermal ventthrough connections to the integrated electric grid and heatdistribution systems. The water splitting system 107 can provide thehydrogen and oxygen to the chemical processing system for producingsilane, hydrides, and halides.

In another related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 canuse input material/chemicals provided by:

-   -   a) minerals 656 from reverse osmosis of seawater provided by the        seawater filtration unit 116;    -   b) hydrogen and oxygen from splitting of filtered water seawater        provided by the water splitting system 107; and/or    -   c) Minerals from processing of the hydrothermal vent fluid        provided by the mineral separator 115.

In another related embodiment, the chemical production system 120 can beconfigured to compress hydrogen in the presence of other chemicals at atemperature in a range of 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit to form hydrides.

In related embodiments, FIG. 1 shows the general placement of systemobjects, including the mineral separator 115. FIG. 2A shows more detailof components of the mineral separator 115. FIG. 3 shows the majorsystem objects that provide the energy distribution system, whichprovides both heat distribution as well as electric grid operations.

In a related embodiment, FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 4 shows a system flow of thecarbon negative clean fuel production system 100, including:

-   -   a) the use of hydrothermal vent energy in both thermal and        electrical forms;    -   b) incorporating the minerals extracted from the mineral        separator 115 and water splitting with a parallel process of        refining sand into its core elements, the required chemicals        from the prior steps providing the materials necessary for the        carbon-dioxide removal process;    -   c) A regulated variable speed pump 222 moves the superheated        mineral rich vent fluids through the inlet pipe 223 into the        settling chamber 225 where it is mixed with the surrounding        colder ocean water via a cold water conduit 224 under pressure        from a coagulant pump 232. Mixing of hot and cold water cools        the chamber fluids below the melting or boiling point of some of        the minerals in the vent fluid smoke facilitating coagulation        and precipitation via the coagulant injector 237.    -   d) A regulated cold water pressure pump 232 injects the right        amount of cold water or coagulant into the settling chamber 225        where riffles 228 catch the heavier precipitating materials        separating them from lighter dissolved minerals. The exit valve        130 controls the rate of fluid put through to avoid a fast        internal chamber current 112 that washes out the desired        minerals. A current of the proper speed and temperature provides        time for the minerals to precipitate 243.    -   e) The solidifying, coagulating minerals precipitate 243 into        the collection tray. The tray simplifies the collection of        precipitated minerals 243. The collection trays will have a        woven mat of suitable material in the bottom to grab and hold        the precipitates reducing mineral loss as current flows over the        trays and as they are manipulated and returned to the surface.    -   f) The regulated polarity reversible, variable strength        electromagnets 236 facilitate mineral precipitation by their        magnetic properties.

In a related embodiment, a carbon negative clean fuel production system100 for the production of alternative fuels and industrial chemicalsusing the energy and resources from a hydrothermal vent, the systemcomprising a set of system objects as described above, can include:

-   -   a) means for distributing a working substance heated by a        hydrothermal vent to a variety of system objects producing        alternative fuels and industrial chemicals;    -   b) means for delivery of the working substance from the heat        collector to a platform where the heat is consumed;    -   c) means for converting at least a portion of the heat contained        in the working substance to a second form of energy at an        underwater platform;    -   d) means of collecting seawater from the area around a platform        using the energy produced;    -   e) means of using the energy to refine sand into silicon and        oxygen or chemicals that may be present in the sand using the        energy produced;    -   f) means of extracting chemicals from the seawater using the        energy produced;    -   g) means for combining hydrothermal vent minerals chemicals into        clean fuels;    -   h) means for removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere        than is produced by the carbon negative clean fuel production        system 100;    -   i) means for precipitating minerals and chemicals from the        hydrothermal vent fluid without bringing the fluid to the        surface;    -   j) means for utilizing the heat contained in the working        substance and the cold water from the surrounding environment to        drive a Stirling engine;    -   k) means of separating industrial chemicals from seawater using        the heat or subsequent energy form derived from the heat of a        hydrothermal vent; and    -   l) means of combining hydrogen with the minerals to form        hydrides.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can be used for recovery of resources contained in ahydrothermal fluid exiting a hydrothermal vent.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include production of formates using the minerals andenergy extracted from a hydrothermal vent.

In yet another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuelproduction system 100 can include production of silane using theminerals and energy extracted from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include production of hydrides from the minerals andenergy extracted from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include production of halides from the minerals andenergy extracted from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include removal of atmospheric and or industrial processcarbon dioxide using the minerals and energy extracted from ahydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include production of silicon from any source materialsusing the minerals and energy extracted from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of a regulated heatcollecting device transferring the heat of a hydrothermal vent into aregulated thermal transfer system.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of using the energy of ahydrothermal vent to power a Stirling engine.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include the use of magnetism in the separation ofminerals from hydrothermal vent fluid, using a mineral separator 115.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include system and method of using a production float 114to position a system object device within a system collecting resourcesfrom a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of using a mineral separator115 or settling tank to extract minerals from vent fluid.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of using a regulated devicewith riffles 228 in the recovery of minerals from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of placing a mineralseparator 115 over a hydrothermal vent to collect the minerals from ventfluid.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of regulating energy usagefrom an underwater electric grid and thermal distribution system wherethe energy is sourced from a hydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include use of an exit hood 231 to capture and coolresidual warm vent fluid exiting a mineral separator 115.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a system and method of creating a positive energyfeedback loop in the collection and distribution of energy from ahydrothermal vent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include creation of silicon carbide in a carbonsequestration process using the energy and resources of a hydrothermalvent.

In a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can include a sea level platform 101 with support for a humanpresence, such the platform 101 can include conventional human supportsystems including bathrooms, kitchens, entertainment and waste disposalto avoid polluting the ocean.

In a further related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuelproduction system 100 can further include a recycling system, such thatthe energy available from a hydrothermal vent can be used for therecycling system, which can recycle papers, metals, plastics and othertrash collected from the ocean. The recycling system can be configuredas a large surface skimmer connected to a recycling plant mounted on theplatform 101. As litter is sucked into the skimmer, a lifting bucketline can transport the trash from the skimmer to a conveyer where thetrash can be shredded, sorted and processed into useable products.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6A, a carbon negative cleanfuel production system 100 can include:

-   -   a) a main platform 101;    -   b) a heat collection device 102, which can be configured to        capture heat from hydrothermal emissions 141 from a hydrothermal        vent 145 on a floor 152 of an ocean 650;    -   c) a heat driven electric generator 118, which is configured to        receive the heat from the hydrothermal vent 145 and produce        electric energy, wherein the heat driven electric generator 118        is mounted on a surface of the main platform 101; and    -   d) a heat distribution system 103, comprising:        -   i. a heat absorbing material 619; and        -   ii. at least one heat transporting pipe 610, comprising:            -   a heat transport segment 612; and            -   a return flow segment 614;            -   wherein a first end of the heat transport segment 612 is                connected to a collection output 622 of the heat                collection device 102 and a second end of the heat                transport segment 612 is connected to a generator input                624 of the heat driven electric generator 118; and            -   wherein a first end of the return flow segment 614 is                connected to a generator output 626 of the heat driven                electric generator 118 and a second end of the return                flow segment 614 is connected to a collection input 628                of the heat collection device 102;    -   such that the heat absorbing material 619 flows through the heat        collection device 102, such that the heat absorbing material 619        absorbs the heat from the hydrothermal emissions 141; and    -   such that the heat absorbing material 619 flows through the heat        driven electric generator 118, such that the heat driven        electric generator produces the electric energy from the heat of        the heat absorbing material 619.

In a related embodiment, the platform 101 can be configured to float ona surface of the ocean. Alternatively, the platform 101 can besubmerged, submersible, land based, or positioned on a floor of theocean.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can further include:

-   -   a) at least one anchor platform 117; and    -   b) at least one tether/anchor cable 162;    -   wherein the anchor platform 117 can be configured to be        positioned on a floor 152 of the ocean; and wherein a first end        of the anchor cable 162 is connected to the platform 101 and a        second end of the tether is connected to the platform 101;    -   such that the platform 101 is secured in position.

In a related embodiment, the heat transporting pipe 610 can be aninsulated pipe.

In another related embodiment, the heat absorbing material 619 can be aliquid 619.

In a further related embodiment, the liquid 619 can be ahydrofluorocarbon 619.

In yet another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the heat drivenelectric generator 118 can be a Stirling generator 118, which caninclude:

-   -   a) a Stirling engine 642, which can be configured to generate        rotational mechanical energy 643 from the heat of the heat        absorbing material 619; and    -   b) an electrical generator 644, which is configured to convert        the rotational mechanical energy 643 into the electric energy        300.

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 6A, thecarbon negative clean fuel production system 100 can further include:

-   -   a mineral separator 115, which includes an enclosure 260 that        comprises riffles 228 along an inner bottom of the enclosure;    -   wherein an input opening 262 of the enclosure 260 receives the        hydrothermal emissions 141 from the hydrothermal vent, such that        the hydrothermal emissions 141 pass through 266 the enclosure        260, such that solid minerals 280 are deposited in the riffles        228 and remaining emissions 268 are ejected from an output        opening 264 of the enclosure 260.

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the mineralseparator 115 can further include:

-   -   at least one magnet 236, which is mounted below the riffles 228;    -   such that the at least one magnet causes magnetic minerals 282        to be deposited in a section 229 of the riffles 228 close to the        at least one magnet 236.

In another further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the mineralseparator 115 can further include:

-   -   at least one pump 232, which is configured to pump cold seawater        274 into the enclosure 260, such that the cold seawater 274        dilutes and cools the hydrothermal emissions 141, whereby        dissolved mineral parts 280 of the hydrothermal emissions 141        are coagulated and thereby are deposited in the riffles 228 as        coagulated minerals 280.

In yet another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuelproduction system 100 can further include:

-   -   a seawater filtration unit 116, which is configured to filter        seawater 652 from the ocean 650, for example by reverse osmosis,        to produce filtered freshwater 654 and solutes 656 which include        brine 656 and solute minerals 656.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can further include:

-   -   a water splitting device 107, which is configured to use the        electric energy 300 generated by the heat driven electric        generator 118 to split the filtered freshwater 654 into hydrogen        662 and oxygen 664 by a process of electrolysis.

In yet another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuelproduction system 100 can further include:

-   -   at least one anchor tether 172;    -   at least one anchor structure 177;    -   at least one structural support cable 179; and    -   at least one production float 114, such that the at least one        production float 114 is configured to be submerged, wherein the        production float has a density less than seawater;    -   wherein the at least one anchor structure 177 is positioned on        the floor 152 of the ocean;    -   wherein the at least one production float 114 is connected to        the at least one anchor structure 177 via the at least one        anchor tether 172, such that the at least one production float        114 is suspended in a submerged state within the ocean;    -   wherein the at least one production float 114 is connected to        the heat collection device 102 with the at least one structural        support cable 179, wherein a length 182 of the at least one        structural support cable 179 is configured to be adjustable, for        example via the use of winches and/or cable tighteners, such        that a position of the heat collection device 102 is adjustable.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can further include:

-   -   a sand refinery machine 128, which is configured to refine sand        678 to produce chemical components, including silicon 674 and        oxygen 676.

In another related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can further include:

-   -   a carbon removal system 106, which can be configured to use the        electric energy generated by the heat driven electric generator        118 to pump in atmospheric air 690, and to produce formic acid        694 from carbon dioxide 692 in the atmospheric air 690, thereby        reducing a concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmospheric        air 690.

In a further related embodiment, the carbon removal system 106 can beconfigured to use the Sammels process, as described in PCT/InternationalPatent Application number WO2014202855A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,473,such that the carbon removal system 106, is configured to produce formicacid from carbon dioxide and water by catalyzed electroreduction of thecarbon dioxide in the gaseous phase, wherein the carbon removal system106 uses electrochemical cells wherein a cathode consists of aconductive porous solid and an active layer containing dispersed metalnanoparticles, such that a catalyzed reaction produces the formic acid,which is separated by crystallization.

Thus, in a related embodiment, the carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem 100 can further include:

-   -   a mineral separator 115, which includes an enclosure 260 that        comprises riffles 228 along an inner bottom of the enclosure;        -   wherein an input opening 262 of the enclosure 260 receives            the hydrothermal emissions 141 from the hydrothermal vent            145, such that the hydrothermal emissions 141 passes through            266 the enclosure 260, such that solid minerals 280 are            deposited in the riffles 228 and remaining emissions 268 are            ejected from an output opening 264 of the enclosure 260.    -   a sand refinery machine 128, which is configured to refine sand        678 to produce chemical components, including silicon 674 and        oxygen 676;    -   a chemical production system 120, which uses the silicon 674,        oxygen 676, and solid minerals 280, to produce hydrides 682,        halides 684, and silane 686.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the heat driven electricgenerator 618 can be positioned directly adjacent to a hydrothermal vent145 on a floor 152 of an ocean 650, such that the heat driven electricgenerator 618 receives the heat from the hydrothermal vent 145 andproduces electric energy 300.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, a carbonnegative clean fuel production system 600 can include:

-   -   a heat driven electric generator 118, which can be configured to        receive heat from a hydrothermal vent 145 on a floor 152 of an        ocean 650 and produce electric energy,        -   wherein the heat driven electric generator 618 can be            positioned directly adjacent to a hydrothermal vent 145 on a            floor 152 of an ocean 650, such that the heat driven            electric generator 118 receives the heat from the            hydrothermal vent 145 and produces electric energy; and    -   an electric distribution grid 300, which is configured to        distribute the electric energy produced by the heat driven        electric generator 118.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a method for carbon negativeclean fuel production system 800, can include:

-   -   a) capturing heat 802 from hydrothermal emissions 141 from a        hydrothermal vent 145 on a floor 152 of an ocean 650, using a        heat collection device 102;    -   b) producing electric energy 804, wherein a heat driven electric        generator 118 receives the heat from the hydrothermal vent 145        and produces the electric energy, wherein the heat is        distributed via a heat distribution system 103;    -   c) separating minerals 806, wherein solid minerals 280 are        separated using a mineral separator 115, which comprises an        enclosure 260 and riffles 228, which are positioned along an        inner bottom 250 of the enclosure 260;        -   wherein an input opening 262 of the enclosure 260 receives            the hydrothermal emissions 141 from the hydrothermal vent            145, such that the hydrothermal emissions 141 passes through            the enclosure 260, such that the solid minerals 280 are            deposited in the riffles 228 and remaining emissions 268 are            ejected from an output opening 264 of the enclosure 260;    -   d) filtering seawater 808, by using a seawater filtration unit        116, which is configured to filter seawater 652 from the ocean        650 by reverse osmosis, to produce filtered freshwater 654 and        solutes 656 which include brine 656 and solute minerals 656;    -   e) splitting the filtered freshwater 810, by using a water        splitting device 107, which is configured to use the electric        energy generated by the heat driven electric generator 118 to        split the filtered freshwater 654 into hydrogen 662 and oxygen        664 by a process of electrolysis;    -   f) refining sand 812, by using a sand refinery machine 128,        which refines sand 678 to produce chemical components, including        silicon 674 and oxygen 676,        -   wherein the sand refinery machine 128 uses the electric            energy generated by the heat driven electric generator 118;    -   g) removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric air 814, by using a        carbon dioxide removal system 106, which is configured to use        the electric energy generated by the heat driven electric        generator 118 to pump in the atmospheric air 690, and to produce        formic acid 694 from carbon dioxide 692 in the atmospheric air        690, thereby reducing a concentration of carbon dioxide in the        atmospheric air 690; and    -   h) producing hydrides, halides, and silane 816, by using a        chemical production system 120, which uses the silicon 674,        oxygen 676, and solid minerals 280, to produce the hydrides 682,        the halides 684, and the silane 686,        -   wherein the chemical production system 120 uses the electric            energy 300 generated by the heat driven electric generator            118.

It shall be understood that an executing instance of an embodiment ofthe carbon negative clean fuel production system 100, as shown in FIG.1, can include a plurality of system control units 121.

FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 are block diagrams and flowcharts, methods, devices,systems, apparatuses, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. It shall be understood that eachblock or step of the block diagram, flowchart and control flowillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram,flowchart and control flow illustrations, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions or other means. Although computer programinstructions are discussed, an apparatus or system according to thepresent invention can include other means, such as hardware or somecombination of hardware and software, including one or more processorsor controllers, for performing the disclosed functions.

In this regard, FIGS. 1 and 7 depict the computer devices of variousembodiments, each containing several of the key components of ageneral-purpose computer by which an embodiment of the present inventionmay be implemented. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat a computer can include many components. However, it is notnecessary that all of these generally conventional components be shownin order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing theinvention. The general-purpose computer can include a processing unitand a system memory, which may include various forms of non-transitorystorage media such as random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory(ROM). The computer also may include nonvolatile storage memory, such asa hard disk drive, where additional data can be stored.

FIG. 1 shows a depiction of an embodiment of the carbon negative cleanfuel production system 100, including the system control unit 121, whichcan for example be configured as an embedded computer device 121, forexample as a control board with a microcontroller or processor, or as aserver 121. In this relation, a server shall be understood to representa general computing capability that can be physically manifested as one,two, or a plurality of individual physical computing devices, located atone or several physical locations. A server can for example bemanifested as a shared computational use of one single desktop computer,a dedicated server, a cluster of rack-mounted physical servers, adatacenter, or network of datacenters, each such datacenter containing aplurality of physical servers, or a computing cloud, such as Amazon EC2or Microsoft Azure.

It shall be understood that the above-mentioned components of the systemcontrol unit 121 are to be interpreted in the most general manner.

For example, the processor 702, can include a single physicalmicroprocessor or microcontroller, a cluster of processors, a datacenteror a cluster of datacenters, a computing cloud service, and the like.

In a further example, the non-transitory memory 704 can include variousforms of non-transitory storage media, including random access memoryand other forms of dynamic storage, and hard disks, hard disk clusters,cloud storage services, and other forms of long-term storage. Similarly,the input/output 706 can include a plurality of well-known input/outputdevices, such as screens, keyboards, pointing devices, motion trackers,communication ports, and so forth.

Furthermore, it shall be understood that the system control unit 121 caninclude a number of other components that are well known in the art ofgeneral computer devices, and therefore shall not be further describedherein. This can include system access to common functions and hardware,such as for example via operating system layers such as Windows, Linux,and similar operating system software, but can also includeconfigurations wherein application services are executing directly onserver hardware or via a hardware abstraction layer other than acomplete operating system.

An embodiment of the present invention can also include one or moreinput or output components, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and thelike. A display can be provided for viewing text and graphical data, aswell as a user interface to allow a user to request specific operations.Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may be connected toone or more remote computers via a network interface. The connection maybe over a local area network (LAN) wide area network (WAN), and caninclude all of the necessary circuitry for such a connection.

In a related embodiment, the system control unit 121 communicates withsystem objects over a network, which can include the general Internet, aWide Area Network or a Local Area Network, or another form ofcommunication network, transmitted on wired or wireless connections.Wireless networks can for example include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,ZigBee, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure,encrypted communication protocol.

Typically, computer program instructions may be loaded onto the computeror other general-purpose programmable machine to produce a specializedmachine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer orother programmable machine create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts. Suchcomputer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readablemedium that when loaded into a computer or other programmable machinecan direct the machine to function in a particular manner, such that theinstructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an articleof manufacture including instruction means that implement the functionspecified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts.

In addition, the computer program instructions may be loaded into acomputer or other programmable machine to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed by the computer or other programmable machine toproduce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable machine provide steps forimplementing the functions specified in the block diagram, schematicdiagram, flowchart block or step.

Accordingly, blocks or steps of the block diagram, flowchart or controlflow illustrations support combinations of means for performing thespecified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specifiedfunctions and program instruction means for performing the specifiedfunctions. It will also be understood that each block or step of theblock diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts, as well ascombinations of blocks or steps, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems, or combinations of special purposehardware and computer instructions, that perform the specified functionsor steps.

As an example, provided for purposes of illustration only, a data inputsoftware tool of a search engine application can be a representativemeans for receiving a query including one or more search terms. Similarsoftware tools of applications, or implementations of embodiments of thepresent invention, can be means for performing the specified functions.For example, an embodiment of the present invention may include computersoftware for interfacing a processing element with a user-controlledinput device, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen display, scanner,or the like. Similarly, an output of an embodiment of the presentinvention may include, for example, a combination of display software,video card hardware, and display hardware. A processing element mayinclude, for example, a controller or microprocessor, such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), or control unit.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the carbonnegative clean fuel production system 100, and devices and methodsrelated thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should beconsidered fully included in this specification and the claims appendedhereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated anddescribed, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carbon negative clean fuel production system,comprising: a) a heat collection device, which is configured to capturea heat from hydrothermal emissions from a hydrothermal vent on a floorof an ocean, wherein the heat collection device is positioned adjacentto the hydrothermal vent; b) a heat driven electric generator, which isconfigured to receive the heat from the hydrothermal vent and produceelectric energy; c) a heat distribution system, comprising: a heatabsorbing material; and at least one heat transporting pipe, comprising:a heat transport segment; and a return flow segment; wherein a first endof the heat transport segment is connected to an output of the heatcollection device and a second end of the heat transport segment isconnected to an input of the heat driven electric generator; and whereina first end of the return flow segment is connected to an output of theheat driven electric generator and a second end of the return flowsegment is connected to an input of the heat collection device; d) aseawater filtration unit, which is configured to filter seawater fromthe ocean, to produce filtered freshwater and solutes, which includebrine and solute minerals; e) a water splitting device, which isconfigured to use the electric energy generated by the heat drivenelectric generator to split the filtered freshwater into hydrogen andoxygen by a process of electrolysis; f) a sand refinery machine, whichis configured to refine sand to produce silicon; and g) a chemicalproduction system, which is configured to react the silicon with thehydrogen under a high pressure and a high temperature to produce silane;wherein the high pressure is at least 5 bars and the high temperature isat least 200 degrees Fahrenheit; such that the heat absorbing materialflows through the heat collection device, such that the heat absorbingmaterial absorbs the heat from the hydrothermal emissions; and such thatthe heat absorbing material flows through the heat driven electricgenerator, such that the heat driven electric generator produces theelectric energy from the heat of the heat absorbing material.
 2. Thecarbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a main platform; wherein the heat driven electric generatoris mounted on a surface of the main platform.
 3. The carbon negativeclean fuel production system of claim 2, wherein the main platform isconfigured to float on a surface of the ocean.
 4. The carbon negativeclean fuel production system of claim 2, further comprising: a) at leastone anchor platform; and b) at least one anchor cable; wherein theanchor platform is configured to be positioned on a floor of the ocean;and wherein a first end of the at least one anchor cable is connected tothe main platform and a second end of the at least one anchor cable isconnected to the anchor platform; such that the main platform is securedin position.
 5. The carbon negative clean fuel production system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one heat transporting pipe is an insulatedpipe.
 6. The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 1,wherein the heat absorbing material is a liquid.
 7. The carbon negativeclean fuel production system of claim 6, wherein the liquid is ahydrofluorocarbon.
 8. The carbon negative clean fuel production systemof claim 1, wherein the heat driven electric generator is a Stirlinggenerator, which comprises: a) a Stirling engine, which is configured togenerate mechanical energy from the heat absorbing material; and b) anelectrical generator, which is configured to convert the mechanicalenergy into the electric energy.
 9. The carbon negative clean fuelproduction system of claim 1, further comprising: a mineral separator,which comprises an enclosure and riffles along an inner bottom of theenclosure; wherein an input opening of the enclosure receives thehydrothermal emissions from the hydrothermal vent, such that thehydrothermal emissions pass through the enclosure, such that solidminerals are deposited in the riffles and remaining emissions areejected from an output opening of the enclosure.
 10. The carbon negativeclean fuel production system of claim 9, wherein the mineral separatorfurther comprises: at least one magnet, which is mounted below theriffles; such that the at least one magnet causes magnetic minerals tobe deposited in a section of the riffles close to the at least onemagnet.
 11. The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 9,wherein the mineral separator further comprises: at least one pump,which is configured to pump cold seawater into the enclosure, such thatthe cold seawater dilutes and cools the hydrothermal emissions, wherebydissolved mineral parts of the hydrothermal emissions are coagulated andthereby are deposited in the riffles as coagulated minerals.
 12. Thecarbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 1, wherein theseawater filtration unit is configured to filter seawater from the oceanby reverse osmosis.
 13. The carbon negative clean fuel production systemof claim 1, further comprising: at least one anchor tether; at least oneanchor structure; at least one structural support cable; and at leastone production float, such that the production float is configured to besubmerged, wherein the production float has a density less thanseawater; wherein the at least one production float is connected to theat least one anchor structure via the at least one anchor tether, suchthat the at least one production float is suspended in a submerged statewithin the ocean; wherein the at least one production float is connectedto the heat collection device with the at least one structural supportcable, wherein a length of the at least one structural support cable isconfigured to be adjustable, such that a position of the heat collectiondevice is adjustable.
 14. The carbon negative clean fuel productionsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a sand refinery machine, which isconfigured to refine sand to produce chemical components, includingsilicon and oxygen.
 15. The carbon negative clean fuel production systemof claim 14, wherein the sand refinery machine is configured as anelectric arc furnace, which is configured to perform a carbothermalreduction with the sand and a coke compound, to produce the silicon andthe oxygen.
 16. The carbon negative clean fuel production system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a carbon removal system, which isconfigured to use the electric energy generated by the heat drivenelectric generator to pump in atmospheric air, and to produce formicacid or methane from carbon dioxide in the atmospheric air, therebyreducing a concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmospheric air. 17.The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 16, whereinthe carbon removal system is configured to use a Sammels process, suchthat the carbon removal system is configured to produce formic acid fromthe carbon dioxide by catalyzed electroreduction.
 18. The carbonnegative clean fuel production system of claim 16, wherein the carbonremoval system is configured to use a Sabatier process, such that thecarbon removal system is configured to produce methane from the carbondioxide by reacting hydrogen with the carbon dioxide.
 19. The carbonnegative clean fuel production system of claim 1, further comprising: amineral separator, which comprises an enclosure and riffles along aninner bottom of the enclosure; wherein an input opening of the enclosurereceives the hydrothermal emissions from the hydrothermal vent, suchthat the hydrothermal emissions passes through the enclosure, such thatsolid minerals are deposited in the riffles and remaining emissions areejected from an output opening of the enclosure; and a chemicalproduction system, which is configured to react the solid minerals withthe hydrogen to produce hydrides.
 20. The carbon negative clean fuelproduction system of claim 19, wherein the chemical production system isconfigured to react to react metals of the solid minerals with thehydrogen under a high pressure and a high temperature to produce thehydrides, wherein the high pressure is at least 5 bars and the hightemperature is at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
 21. A carbon negativeclean fuel production system, comprising: a heat driven electricgenerator, wherein the heat driven electric generator is configured tobe positioned adjacent to a hydrothermal vent on a floor of an ocean,such that the heat driven electric generator receives a heat fromhydrothermal emission of the hydrothermal vent and produces electricenergy; an electric distribution grid, which is configured to distributethe electric energy produced by the heat driven electric generator; aseawater filtration unit, which is configured to filter seawater fromthe ocean, to produce filtered freshwater and solutes, which includebrine and solute minerals; a water splitting device, which is configuredto use the electric energy generated by the heat driven electricgenerator to split the filtered freshwater into hydrogen and oxygen by aprocess of electrolysis; a mineral separator, which comprises anenclosure and riffles along an inner bottom of the enclosure; wherein aninput opening of the enclosure receives the hydrothermal emissions fromthe hydrothermal vent, such that the hydrothermal emissions passesthrough the enclosure, such that solid minerals are deposited in theriffles and remaining emissions are ejected from an output opening ofthe enclosure; and a chemical production system, which is configured toreact the solid minerals with the hydrogen to produce hydrides.
 22. Thecarbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 21, wherein theheat driven electric generator is a Stirling generator, which comprises:a) a Stirling engine, which is configured to generate mechanical energyfrom the heat from the hydrothermal emissions; and b) an electricalgenerator, which is configured to convert the mechanical energy into theelectric energy.
 23. A method of carbon negative clean fuel production,comprising: a) capturing heat from hydrothermal emissions from ahydrothermal vent on a floor of an ocean, using a heat collectiondevice; b) producing electric energy, wherein a heat driven electricgenerator receives the heat from the hydrothermal vent and produces theelectric energy, wherein the heat is distributed via a heat distributionsystem; c) filtering seawater, by using a seawater filtration unit,which is configured to filter seawater from the ocean, to producefiltered freshwater and solutes which include brine and solute minerals;d) splitting the filtered freshwater, by using a water splitting device,which is configured to use the electric energy generated by the heatdriven electric generator to split the filtered freshwater into hydrogenand oxygen by a process of electrolysis; e) separating minerals, whereinminerals are separated using a mineral separator, which comprises anenclosure and riffles along an inner bottom of the enclosure; wherein aninput opening of the enclosure receives the hydrothermal emissions fromthe hydrothermal vent, such that the hydrothermal emissions passesthrough the enclosure, such that solid minerals are deposited in theriffles and remaining emissions are ejected from an output opening ofthe enclosure; and g) producing hydrides, by using a chemical productionsystem, which reacts the solid minerals with the hydrogen to producehydrides, wherein the chemical production system uses the electricenergy.
 24. The method of carbon negative clean fuel production of claim23, wherein the heat driven electric generator comprises a Stirlinggenerator, which comprises: a) a Stirling engine, which is configured togenerate rotational mechanical energy from the heat absorbing material;and b) an electrical generator, which is configured to convert therotational mechanical energy into the electric energy.
 25. The method ofcarbon negative clean fuel production of claim 23, further comprising:refining sand, by using a sand refinery machine, which is configured toextract the sand from the hydrothermal emissions, and refine the sand toproduce chemical components, including silicon and oxygen.
 26. Themethod of carbon negative clean fuel production of claim 23, furthercomprising: removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric air, by using acarbon dioxide removal system, which is configured to use the electricenergy generated by the heat driven electric generator to pump in theatmospheric air, and to produce formic acid from carbon dioxide in theatmospheric air, thereby reducing a concentration of carbon dioxide inthe atmospheric air.
 27. A carbon negative clean fuel production system,comprising: a) a heat collection device, which is configured to capturea heat from hydrothermal emissions from a hydrothermal vent on a floorof an ocean, wherein the heat collection device is positioned adjacentto the hydrothermal vent; b) a heat driven electric generator, which isconfigured to receive the heat from the hydrothermal vent and produceelectric energy; c) a heat distribution system, comprising: a heatabsorbing material; and at least one heat transporting pipe, comprising:a heat transport segment; and a return flow segment; wherein a first endof the heat transport segment is connected to an output of the heatcollection device and a second end of the heat transport segment isconnected to an input of the heat driven electric generator; and whereina first end of the return flow segment is connected to an output of theheat driven electric generator and a second end of the return flowsegment is connected to an input of the heat collection device; d) atleast one anchor tether; e) at least one anchor structure; f) at leastone structural support cable; and g) at least one production float, suchthat the production float is configured to be submerged, wherein theproduction float has a density less than seawater; wherein the at leastone production float is connected to the at least one anchor structurevia the at least one anchor tether, such that the at least oneproduction float is suspended in a submerged state within the ocean;wherein the at least one production float is connected to the heatcollection device with the at least one structural support cable,wherein a length of the at least one structural support cable isconfigured to be adjustable, such that a position of the heat collectiondevice is adjustable; such that the heat absorbing material flowsthrough the heat collection device, such that the heat absorbingmaterial absorbs the heat from the hydrothermal emissions; and such thatthe heat absorbing material flows through the heat driven electricgenerator, such that the heat driven electric generator produces theelectric energy from the heat of the heat absorbing material.
 28. Thecarbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 27, wherein theheat driven electric generator is a Stirling generator, which comprises:a) a Stirling engine, which is configured to generate mechanical energyfrom the heat absorbing material; and b) an electrical generator, whichis configured to convert the mechanical energy into the electric energy.29. The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 27,further comprising: a mineral separator, which comprises an enclosureand riffles along an inner bottom of the enclosure; wherein an inputopening of the enclosure receives the hydrothermal emissions from thehydrothermal vent, such that the hydrothermal emissions pass through theenclosure, such that solid minerals are deposited in the riffles andremaining emissions are ejected from an output opening of the enclosure.30. The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 27,further comprising: a seawater filtration unit, which is configured tofilter seawater from the ocean, to produce filtered freshwater andsolutes, which include brine and solute minerals.
 31. The carbonnegative clean fuel production system of claim 30, further comprising: awater splitting device, which is configured to use the electric energygenerated by the heat driven electric generator to split the filteredfreshwater into hydrogen and oxygen by a process of electrolysis. 32.The carbon negative clean fuel production system of claim 31, furthercomprising: a mineral separator, which comprises an enclosure andriffles along an inner bottom of the enclosure; wherein an input openingof the enclosure receives the hydrothermal emissions from thehydrothermal vent, such that the hydrothermal emissions passes throughthe enclosure, such that solid minerals are deposited in the riffles andremaining emissions are ejected from an output opening of the enclosure;and a chemical production system, which is configured to react the solidminerals with the hydrogen to produce hydrides.
 33. The carbon negativeclean fuel production system of claim 31, further comprising: a sandrefinery machine, which is configured to refine sand to produce silicon;a chemical production system, which is configured to react the siliconwith the hydrogen under a high pressure and a high temperature toproduce silane; wherein the high pressure is at least 5 bars and thehigh temperature is at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
 34. The carbonnegative clean fuel production system of claim 27, further comprising: asand refinery machine, which is configured to refine sand to producechemical components, including silicon and oxygen.